AuthorTopic: Queensboro Bridge and 5 Pointz (Read 2823 times)

The Queensboro Bridge in New York is an impressive lump of early 20th century ironwork and the raised railtracks spread themselves into Queens. Last Saturday was very rainy so the pedestrian/bike path on the bridge was nearly deserted, allowing the receding lines to look good.

After a good soaking on the bridge I went on to 5 Pointz, the wall-art mecca, for a guided tour and demo from Meres One, the artist and ceo of 5 Pointz. The grungy weather suited the surroundings.

Great shots! I've shot the Qboro bridge from many vantage points but have never been on the bike path. I like the capture of the subway, the jogger, and the structure of the bridge on the left. Would it have been possible to press more to your right and angle the camera more to the left to get a bit more of the QB's structural elements while still getting a good view of the train?

Also, as a streetshooter who has spent an hour or more opposite such murals, on repeated days, waiting for just the right passerby to make the shot work, I am envious of your great shot of the graffiti mural. Was the pedestrian posed? Or was that expression really his spontaneous reaction to the mural?

Would it have been possible to press more to your right and angle the camera more to the left to get a bit more of the QB's structural elements while still getting a good view of the train?

Thanks for your comments! You may be right about the composition, though it'd be easier to get more bridge with a 35mm instead of the 50mm used here. I tend to crop/compose tight and sometimes don't leave enough breathing space for the subjects.Here's a little more of the bridge's structure in another shot from the gallery :

You may know the Manhattan Bridge footpath which is a great viewpoint for the Brooklyn Bridge, though lacks the good views of passing trains:

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Also, as a streetshooter who has spent an hour or more opposite such murals, on repeated days, waiting for just the right passerby to make the shot work, I am envious of your great shot of the graffiti mural. Was the pedestrian posed? Or was that expression really his spontaneous reaction to the mural?

Ah, the 'pedestrian' above is Jonathan Cohen, aka Meres One, artist and presiding spirit of 5 Pointz. He's in mid-speech. He subsequently gave a demo:

I wasn't thinking of anything as drastic as your image showing more of the bridge structure, just a slight shift that would make the tan structure a bit more prominent while still showing the scene you first depicted, including the train.

Nice work having the artist in front of the mural. His face and expression really make the shot. Would he be available to "walk by" other murals around town? He'd be great.